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BY 
EMILY TOLMAN 

h 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH & COMPANY 

1914 



03^ IS, 



SEP 26 1914 



coptright, 1914 
Sherman, French &' Company 



'CLA379710 



NOTE 

Many of these verses have appeared 
from time to time in various period- 
icals. For permission to reprint 
them thanks are due to the New Eng- 
land Magazine, Independent, Congre- 
gationalist, Sunday School Times, 
Churchman, Advance, Christian Reg- 
ister, Boston Transcript, and Spring- 
field Republican. 



CONTENTS 

PAOS 

To A Summer Cloud 1 

The Hermit Thrush S 

In the Arnold Arboretum 4 

Common Pleasures 5 

In a Hammock 7 

A Voice op the Night 8 

A Summer School 9 

April 11 

My Riches 12 

The Mosses 18 

The Yellow Birch 14 

Old Field Birch 15 

Consider the Lilies 16 

Song of a Multi-millionaire . . . 17 

Easedale 18 

Among the Trees 20 

The Lily and the Rose 21 

Greenland Sandwort on Mount Mans- 
field 22 

goldenrod s8 

The Fringed Gentian 24 

The Closed Gentian 25 

The Great Stone Face 26 

The Maiden's Quest 28 

The Nation's Dead 29 

Song of the Volunteers SO 

The Star-spangled Banner 32 

On the Way to Messina 34 

The Marine's Prayer 35 



PAOE 

Farmer Brown's Soliloquy 87 

The Peacemaker 89 

Armored Peace 40 

A Country Parson i 41 

My Resources 42 

The Imprisoned Butterfly 48 

Resignation 44 

O THAT I Knew! 45 

Prayer for Others 46 

" Lest We Forget " 47 

" Love Never Faileth " 48 

The Two Answers 50 

A Night Thought 51 

The Answered Prayer 52 

Easter Morning 54 

Not Lost 55 

Man's Measure 56 

" Ye have Need op Patience " .... 57 

The New Year's Gift 58 

The Fall of the Leaf i 59 

" Himself He cannot Save " 60 

Daily Bread 61 

Two Friends 62 

The Hardest Task 68 

God's Measure 64 

My Friend 65 

A Story in Stone 66 

MOLLUSK AND MaN 67 

Microbes 68 

Separation 69 



PAGE 

General S. C. Armbtrong 70 

The Quaker Poet 71 

In Memoriam, M. E. R 72 

In Memoriam, C. F. B 78 

To S. O. 74 

To W. S 75 

A Golden Wedding Meditation .... 76 

The Ideal 77 

Columbus 77 

Evolution 78 

"Behold Your King!" 78 

The Law of Life 79 

Who is Greatest? 79 

The Awakening 80 

As One having Authority 80 

Her Face 81 

Thought 81 



TO A SUMMER CLOUD 

I SAIL with you 

The heavens blue, 
Transported into regions new. 

On lightest wing 

I soar and sing, 
And quaff the cool eljsian spring. 

Without a care 

To drift in air; 
Oh! who would not such rapture share? 

Thus glad and free 

Our course shall be 
O'er verdant land and shimmering sea. 

Your fleeces white 

With silvery light, 
So shining fair, so softly bright, 

E'en now they fail; 

Yet why bewail 
The change to yonder lucent veil 

That floateth by 

To faint and lie, 
A fading speck in azure sky? 

A moment's grace, 

A film of lace. 
That too has gone, nor left a trace. 

[1] 



Yet still I seem, 

As in a dream, 
To sail the swift aerial stream; 

And still on high 

Mj soul doth flj 
On joyful wing through ample sky. 



[«] 



THE HERMIT THRUSH 

In the deep, solemn wood at dawn, I hear 
A voice, serene and pure, now far, now near. 

Singing sweetly, singing slowly, 

Holy ! oh — holy, holy ! 
Again at evening dusk, now near, now far, — 
Oh, tell me, art. thou voice of bird or star? 

Sounding sweetly, sounding slowly. 

Holy ! oh — holy, holy ! 



[3] 



IN THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM 

From open ways where friendly roses smile, 
And sculptured chalices the laurels bear, 
Where golden orioles flash through orient 
air, 
The purling brook and fairy ferns beguile 
My lingering feet adown a dim, cool aisle, 
'Neath hoary hemlocks lifting hands in 

prayer. 
Where world-old rocks their Maker's might 
declare. 
Rearing majestic minster pile on pile. 

On hallowed hush of this cathedral close 

There falls a sound like chiming silver bells: 

To listening laurel and to waiting rose 

The priestly thrush his lyric message tells, 

The sylvan secret that the hemlock knows. 
The solemn mystery of the woods and fells. 



[4] 



COMMON PLEASURES 

I MAY not cross the ocean 

A distant land to see, 
But there's a winsome meadow 

Which I may hold in fee; 
A rippling rill runs gaily 

Adown the daisied lea. 

I may no old cathedral's 
Majestic spires behold, 

But solemn woods are whispering 
Their secrets manifold; 

In their dim aisles of verdure 
I learn things never told. 

I have my storied castles 

With towers and turrets plain ; 

It needs no toilsome journey 
Their portals fair to gain ; 

The way to them is easy — 
'Tis only down the lane. 

Here is no Alpine mountain 
With cloudy crest sublime. 

But summits still more lofty 
The soul is free to climb; 

On heights serene I wander 
At quiet eventime. 

[«] 



No painting rare and wondrous 
Of artist could outshine 

The colors of the sunset, 
Mixed by a hand divine ; 

And, dear heart., no old master 
Made face so sweet as thine. 



[fl] 



IN A HAMMOCK 

SLUMBEROUS south Wind, soft and low! 
Soothing my soul to rest, 

No sorrow now mj heart can know, 

Nor care invade my breast. 
Slow sail the clouds o'er summer sky; 
Below the oriole swings, and I. 

Tomorrow? hush that word of dread; 

I only know today. 
All thoughts of toil or pain have fled ; 

Here would I ever stay. 
For me yon tuneful thrush shall sing, 
While thus I sweetly dream and swing. 

1 do not think ; I only feel ; 

I quaff the Lethean stream; 
Soft languors o'er my spirit steal; 
This is content supreme. 

gently swaying linden tree! 

1 know no life apart from thee. 



m 



A VOICE OF THE NIGHT 

This is the hour of nature's calm repose. 

The winds that all day long have known no 
rest 

Have sunk to sleep upon the mountain's 
breast. 
Its balm of peace the summer night bestows : 
And nothing stirs save where the river flows 

With soothing murmur on its seaward quest, 

While high above the dusky mountain's crest 
The full-orbed moon in radiant beauty glows. 

The vesper sparrow and the pewee sleep ; 

But now from slope of yonder wooded hill, 
Beside the river, rising dark and steep, 

Loud, ringing notes the lonely watches thrill, 
Smiting the silence, erst so calm and deep, 

With wild, impassioned cry of " Wliippoor- 
will ! " 



[8] 



A SUMMER SCHOOL 

Do you wish a standard summer school 

Where clever doctors teach? 
Then go to Woodland Institute, 

Professors Pine and Beech. 

Not a school on earth so old as this, 

Founded before the Flood; 
Its pupils come from every race, 

Peasant and princely blood. 

For instruction in philosophy 

With myriad points so fine, 
O where will you find a wiser head 

Than that of Professor Pine? 

Do you care for art and poetry. 
The flowers and ferns are there ; 

Who so renowned for skill in these 
As graceful Maiden-hair? 

As for music, there is Madam Brook, 
And the great composer, Bird ; 

More enchanting melody than theirs 
You surely never heard. 

Many other branches you may take, 

The common and the rare ; 
Though shady the meaning, some compl«iin, 

As is the case elsewhere. 

[»] 



You'll have no need to carry a trunk; 

There's one for every tree; 
And books will cost you nothing there, 

For leaves are furnished free. 

The fee that is asked is only this, 

Attentive ears and eyes. 
Bring these, and the Woodland Institute 

Will make you glad and wise. 



[10] 



APRIL 

The brook unbound, full-fed by winter snow, 

Pursues its tuneful way. 
The glad earth thrilled by vernal sun doth grow 

More smiling every day. 
From boughs that only buds prophetic show 

The robin sings of May. 



[11] 



MY RICHES 

Mine is the gold of sunset, 

The glory of the dawn, 
The splendid star that shines afar, 

The dew-bejewelled lawn. 

Mine are the pearls and opals 
That fall from wayside spring, 

The silvery notes from thrushes' throats 
Through woodland aisles that ring. 

Mine is the rare embroidery 

Of lichen on the wall. 
The airy grace of fair fern-lace. 

Meet for a prince's hall. 

Softer than Persian carpet 

The moss beneath my feet, 
In dewy dells, where floral bells 

Toll out their perfume sweet. 

Banks cannot hold my treasure; 

It needs no lock nor key ; 
None 'neath the sky so rich as I, 

Who hold the world in fee. 



[12] 



THE MOSSES 

In dusky glade, 'mid leafy shade, 

The patient mosses grow. 
The mouldering stump and cold grey stone 

Their fair embroidery show. 

Above their reach the pine and beech 

Uplift their branches high ; 
And through their myriad trembling leaves 

The vagrant breezes sigh. 

At every turn a fairy fern 

Stands decked in robe of lace ; 

Or magic Circe's pallid flower 
Uplifts a winsome face. 

'Neath these I seek the mosses meek, 

In humble ways that dwell. 
Teach me in some sweet ministry 

My life to live as well. 



[18] 



THE YELLOW BIRCH 

Firm is thy foot, and green thy tresses shine ; 
Yet seemest thou with mighty passion spent: 
O woodland nymph! what hopeless grief is 

thine, 
That thou art thus with silken raiment rent? 



[14] 



OLD FIELD BIRCH 

BETULA POPULIPOLIA 

Thou lovely ladj of the lowly field, 
Thy lustrous beauty and thy tender grace 
So joyously and freely thou dost yield, 
To bring a blessing to this barren place! 

I know not in what guise thou art most fair, 
With leafless boughs, in April's bridal veil. 
When summer zephyr stirs thy shining hair, 
Or bows thy golden head in autumn gale. 

Let others praise the stately forest tree, 
Broad-breasted oak, tall beech, or princely pine ; 
In thy fair form a rarer grace I see; 
A heart to cheer the desert waste is thine. 



[15] 



CONSIDER THE LILIES 

The violet with a winsome face 
Looks up from mossy slope, 

And ever there with tender grace 
Teaches the world to hope. 

The daisy talks to men of love 

In field or lane or street; 
The message sent from Heaven above 

A thousand tongues repeat. 

And then that never child of God 

May wear a face too sad, 
He sends the glowing goldenrod, 

To make the autumn glad. 



[16] 



SONG OF A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE 

A THOUSAND buttercups uplift 
Their chalices of gold for me; 

And dandelions, starry gift, 

Klondikes of wealth unfold for me. 

In meadow low from lids of blue 
The violet doth smile on me; 

And sparkling gems of early dew 
The grasses keep awhile for me. 

The lichens on the old stone wall 

Their rare embroidery trace for me; 

And carpets meet for lordly hall 

The woodland mosses place for me. 

Such riches in my claim abound, 

Such gladness holds one day for me, 

Of all the fortunes ever found 

Oh, none compare with May for me! 

A multi-millionaire am I; 

My bank has bounty scored for me; 
For low and high, in earth and sky, 

Are countless treasures stored for me. 



[17] 



EASEDALE 

From Rotha's vale I turned aside 
To Easedale's lonely height, 

And followed far my joyous guide, 
The dashing torrent's light. 

Full many a merry dancing rill 
Of cloud and tempest born. 

Sang on its way adown the hill. 
Gladdening the summer mom. 

The foxglove raised in stately pride 
Its wand with crimson flushed; 

The rocks upon the mountain-side 
With lowly heather blushed. 

I loitered in the firgrove's shade. 
And lingered where the bum 

With sparkling diamonds besprayed 
The plumy tufts of fern. 

Then bending upward still my course 

Afar to regions new, 
I left behind the foaming force, 

Its music fainter grew. 

Deep-set within those barriers green 
With grass and spreading brake. 

Upon the mountain-top serene 
There lies a lonely lake. 
[18] 



So low above it bends the sky, 
So high the mountain's shield, 

Within its placid bosom lie 
The stars by day revealed. 

How still it seemed ! No zephyr stirred 

The lake's pellucid breast: 
Nor dip of oar nor wing of bird 

Ruffled that perfect rest. 

Nor grove of fir, nor foxglove fair, 

Nor force with noisy cheer. 
Could have for me a charm so rare 

As that solitary mere. 

Though toil and care my days should 
fill. 

My soul its healing knows ; 
'Twill bathe in Easedale's water still, 

And find again repose. 



[19] 



AMONG THE TREES 

'Neath hoary hemlocks in a dusky glade 
I linger long in pensive solitude, 
Pondering 'mid the philosophic shade 
And solemn murmur of the ancient wood 
Grave mysteries of evil and of good. 

On sunlit hill I meet in hlithe array 
White hosts of birches, tossing in the breeze 
Their tresses bright, like merry maids at play ; 
Forgotten are life's problems while with these, 
For now my heart is dancing with the trees. 



[20] 



THE LILY AND THE ROSE 

Quoth the Lily to the Rose, 

" Would I knew the jSre that glows 

In thy bosom's inmost close, 

O thou rare and radiant Rose ! " 

To the Lily quoth the Rose, 
" Would I knew thy calm repose, 
Cool and pure as alpine snows." 
To the Lily quoth the Rose. 



[«1] 



GREENLAND SANDWORT ON MOUNT 
MANSFIELD 

Wee winsome little flower, 
That bloomest on this height, 
Where storm clouds darkly lower, 
And tempests fright. 

There's not a tree would dare 
To lift its head so high, 
Where thou so frail and fair 
Dost face the sky. 

The meekest may aspire, 
Nor fear the tempest's shock, 
With heart of brave desire. 
Cling to the rock. 



[«2] 



GOLDENROD 

Oh ! gaily glows the torch of gold 
From the mountain to the sea; 

No grudging gladness here is doled 
For want and misery. 

Whoever will may have and hold 
The light of liberty. 

Then let brave England have her rose, 
And fair France her fleur-de-lis ; 

But the gladdest flower that grows 
Is fit emblem of the free, 

And of the boon that God bestows, 
O happy land ! on thee. 



[2S] 



THE FRINGED GENTIAN 

Till summer days are over 

Thy coming is delayed. 
The chill and frosty night dews 

Thou facest unafraid. 

Here standing by the brookside, 
Where purple asters wait, 

Where cardinal flaunts his banner 
In proud and princely state. 

And there in fertile meadow, 
Or deep and dusky wold, 

Where lowly mosses linger, 

And ferns their fronds unfold. 

Or e'en on open hillside. 
Exposed to sun and dew. 

Thine eyes with sweet fringed lashes 
Reflect the heaven's own blue. 

What though the days grow darker, 
And Summer joys be past? 

I'll trust the Love that sendeth 
This best gift at the last. 



[J4] 



THE CLOSED GENTIAN 

Summer sits in purple state; 
By the brookside asters wait ; 
But the gentian cometh late. 

Though her sweet lips close are pressed, 

Yet her secret unconfessed, 

My foreboding heart hath guessed. 

Leaves of maple blush and bum ; 
Goldenrod and lady fern 
Happy message bare in turn. 

Surely she who cometh late 
Hath foreseen the dreaded fate, 
Winter standing at the gate. 

Yet she will but bravely smile, 
And conceal sad thoughts the while 
Cheerful suns the world beguile. 



[25] 



THE GREAT STONE FACE 

We wandered idly down the valley, 
And through the whispering wood ; 

While high before us veiled in vapor, 
Bold Cannon Mountain stood. 

The lake upon its limpid bosom 

Mirrored the hills around ; 
And each one in the tranquil water 

Another mountain found. 

And now behold, from lofty summit 

The white mist melts away ; 
And there appears the giant profile 

Of stone, so grave and grey. 

How thy majestic, august presence 

Rebukes our trivial speech ! 
If those dumb lips could only open, 

What lesson would they teach,'* 

What mystic wizard's wondrous wisdom, 

What learned lore of sage. 
Would issue forth from those calm portals, 

To echo down the age? 

Thy memory follows me with fancies 

I've never known before; 
The mystery I fain would fathom 

I ponder o'er and o'er. 
[26] 



Sometimes in dreams the sealed secret 
Seems whispered in my ear; 

But when I longing wake to listen, 
The voice I cease to hear. 

Still far above our eager striving 

Thou dost abide alone; 
Serene alike in sun or shadow, 

Thou noble face of stone. 



[27] 



THE MAIDEN'S QUEST 

FOREST leaves that quiver ! 

Will ye tell my longing mind, 
If ye know aught that ever 

In the future I shall find? 
The leaves began to shiver, 

And said, Go ask the wind. 

Pray tell me, O wind that blows 
O'er every lawn and lea. 

Is there anyone who knows 

WTiat the future brings to me? 

The wind in a flurry rose. 
And said. Go ask the sea. 

O vast, mysterious ocean ! 

Canst thou the future tell? 
Shall I by love's devotion 

Be held in mystic spell? 
What glad or sad emotion 

Will in my bosom dwell? 

With ever the same unrest 

The waves still beat on the shore ; 
But this I heard for my quest 

In low, monotonous roar; 
In blessing thou shalt be blest 

Forever and ever more. 

[28] 



THE NATION'S DEAD 

In martial lines, grave after grave, 

A stone at every head, 
Thousands and thousands of the brave 

'Neath Southern skies lie dead. 

From Western plain, from Granite State, 

From shore of lake or sea. 
They heard the trumpet call; their fate, 

To die, dear land, for thee. 

Above, the stately cypress towers. 

And waving willows weep. 
And roses through the summer hours 

Their fragrant vigil keep. 

Green grows the ivy on the wall, 

And pansies' thoughtful eyes 
Look up where lift magnolias tall, 

Chaste blossoms to the skies. 

By yon dumb cannon frowning dark 

Loud sings the mockingbird ; 
The note of fearless meadow-lark 

Near bayonet fence is heard. 

They sleep who won through deadly strife 

This peace so dear indeed; 
That we should live as true a life 

Their grass-grown graves still plead. 
[29] 



SONG OF THE VOLUNTEERS 

We are coming, starving Cuba, long our ears 
have heard your cry ; 

By that lone star shining dimly your deliver- 
ance draweth nigh. 

" New occasions teach new duties " ; and this 
truth at last we see; 

Ere we beat our swords to plowshares, we must 
set our brother free. 

So from Yankee-land and Dixie, from the states 
of palm and pine. 

We are marching to your succor, we are falling 
into line; 

Lo, from Texas and Montana, from the moun- 
tain and the plain, 

We are marching, many thousands, to subdue 
the tyrant Spain. 

Pause a moment, haughty Spaniard, ere in vain 
your blood shall flow ; 

For a mighty voice proclaimeth, " Ye must let 
my people go." 

Hear our battle-ships and cruisers sailing o*er 
the Southern sea, 

Boom from every frowning cannon, " Strug- 
gling Cuba shall be free." 



[80] 



Know 'tis not for gain or glory that we raise 

our banner high ; 
For the holy cause of freedom, would we dare 

to do and die. 
We are inarching, we are marching, lo, we come 

by land and sea ! 
God of battles! speed our errand, in the name 

of liberty. 



[81] 



THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER 

A New Version 

Behold o'er the sea, where the lone star's pale 
light 
O'er palm-shaded island so faintly is gleam- 
ing, 

A glorious banner unfurled on the height, 

From whose radiant folds a new brightness 
is beaming! 

O the sad and distressed, O the weak and op- 
pressed, 

Whose courage revived as that banner they 
blessed ! 

The doom of the tyrant, the joy of the free, 

Long wave that bright ensign o'er land and 
o'er sea ! 

On the south wind was borne a piteous cry. 

To Columbia's ears for deliverance pleading. 

Her many-starred flag she unfurled to the sky. 

And sent o'er the waters her gallant host 

speeding. 

The defenceless to save, of her treasure she 

gave ; 
She spared not the blood of her strong and her 

brave. 
The doom of the tyrant, the joy of the free. 
Long wave that bright banner o'er land and 
o'er sea ! 

[32] 



O shine on fair stars, with thy message of cheer 
To all men whom merciless tyrants would 

plunder ; 
Thy stripes will cause none save oppressors to 

fear; 
For them the sure vengeance, the cannon's 

loud thunder. 
O let none despair, while there floats on the 

air 
That emblem of love for the wide world to 

share : 
And pray that the star-spaHgled banner long 

wave. 
The hope of the helpless, the pride of the brave. 



[3d] 



ON THE WAY TO MESSINA 

TO OUR FLEET 
January 4, 1909 

O DIRE disaster ! Woful need ! 
For help our brothers loudly plead. 
To save the lost, the famished feed, 
Speed, battleship, speed! 

Not leaden hail and death to deal, 
Yours be the task to help and heal, 
A nation's pity to reveal, 
Speed, battleship, speed! 

Your frowning guns cannot conceal 
Beating beneath your ribs of steel. 
Kind hearts tlieir brothers' woe that feel. 
Speed, battleship, speed! 

Though earthquake, flood, and fire appall, 
Though fearful rack and wreck befall. 
Yet love is mightier than all. 
Speed, battleship, speed ! 



[34] 



THE MARINE'S PRAYER 

On the Texcis, off Santiago, July 3, 1902 

Hooray! Hooray! we done 'em up complete; 
Just smokin' hulks left of the Spanish fleet; 
And we lost nary a ship nor a gun ; 
But didn't the Colon just give us a run? 

All hands on deck, is it? Well, what's the row? 
Ain't no more Spaniards sailin' round now. 
Yonder stands the Captain with his head bare, 
Right over agin the mizzen-mast there, 
Our Captain that nothing on earth could scare: 
What's that he's sayin'? Somethin' 'bout a 

prayer. 
An' givin' thanks to God, I do declare ! 
Ay, ay, sir; well, maybe it's only fair. 

Does seem's though we'd had more'n our nat'ral 

share 
O' luck ; only one man killed on our side ; 
When so many of yon poor devils died. 
Who just can't hit a mark for all their pride. 
I will own up I felt middlin' queer 
When that shell a busted so awful near. 
And sent a piece grazin' my larboard ear. 
I dodged her, an' says to myself, says I: 
Jim, when yer time comes, you've got to die ; 
But now you just set to work right spry 
With this ere charge, an' let her fly. 
[35] 



A gun's in my line; I ain't much on the pray; 
But if Cap'n says so, do' know but I may. 
When I was a shaver, what did we say? 
" Now I lay me " — I ain't a goin' to lay ! 
O Lord, good Lord, fix it up yer own way. 
Shootin' Spaniards off Santiago Bay 
In tropic sunshine ain't precisely play; 
Yet blamed if I ain't glad I seen this day ! 



[36] 



FARMER BROWN'S SOLILOQUY 

Dan says no country is so grand as ours. 
We surely are the greatest of the powers. 
Four hundred million dollars, so they say, 
It takes each year our biU of war to pay. 
And when I ask him who we're goin' to fight, 
He owns we've not a single foe in sight : 
" But then," says he, " a nation such as ours 
Must keep abreast of all the other powers." 

And down at yonder fort, he says they show 

A wonderful machine-gun would lay low 

A solid blooming regiment or so 

About as easy as I lift this hoe. 

For one great battle-ship we're goin' to pay 

Full twenty million dollars, so they say. 

No nation surely is so grand as ours : 

Dan says we are the greatest of the powers. 

And when I tell him some folks live in dens 
Too rotten mean for decent pigs or hens. 
And little children toil for daily bread 
In mills and sweatshops till they're almost dead, 
He says : " Our country must have forts, you 

see; 
And armaments come mighty high," says he. 
When I mention fields waitin' for the plow. 
And roads and bridges that we're needin' now, 

[37] 



He says our guns and swords are burnished 

bright, 
And battle-ships all ready for a fight. 
Our best young men must navigate the sea, 
Dan says, to show the world how big we be. 

It costs too dear to fill the dinner pail; 
But cash for guns and cruisers will not fail. 
And since we are the greatest of the powers, 
No country must have dreadnoughts bigger'n 

ours. 
" Who foots the bills? " " Why Government," 

says he. 
" Which means," says I, " just folks like you 

and me, 
When we're payin' for our bread and tea." 



[38] 



THE PEACEMAKER 

He who 'mid bursting shells and battle's roar 
With life-blood of her bravest saves the State, 

Is held in honor evermore, 

And all men count him great. 

Yet he who calm amid a nation's din, 

Doth bid the dogs of war their clamor cease, 

A hero is, though he doth win 

A victory of peace. 



im 



ARMORED PEACE 

Building still your costly dreadnoughts, 

Ye prepare for foreign foe ; 
And your battle-ships mancEUvre 

That your prowess all may know. 
But ye heed not warning voices 

Of the masses muttering low. 

Deep ab3'ss that knows no bottom ! 

There ye cast your precious gold, 
Heeding not the untaught millions 

That are gathered in your fold. 
While your armaments grow bigger, 

Unregarded Want grows bold. 

When there come those sure reprisals 
From the rude untutored host, 

What avail your armored cruisers, 
Or the forts along your coast? 

Will the inner foe be vanquished 
By the dreadnoughts that ye boast? 



[40] 



A COUNTRY PARSON 

A MAN of generous breadth and height, 

At ease with gun or pen, 
And skilled to guide a restive steed, 

Or sway the minds of men. 

A face that's gentle with the grace 
Of manhood strong and brave ; 

A voice that borrows melody 
From deep-toned ocean wave. 

He is not over quick to smile, 
And frowns on naught but sin, 

The while he stretches helping hand 
The wanderer back to win. 

Taught in the wisdom of the schools. 

Yet not confined to books, 
He reads the wondrous thoughts of Grod 

In fields and forest nooks. 

And every bird or bush or brake 

Adds treasure to his mind ; 
In lowliest lichen of the rocks 

He can a lesson find. 

I ask not what his creed may be. 

Enough for me to know, 
To serve his God and fellow men 

Is all he seeks below. 
[41] 



MY RESOURCES 

Philippians 4:19 

Thine are the star-sown spaces; 

The salt sea depths are Thine ; 
Thy riches none can measure ; 

A little need is mine. 

Swift lightnings do Thy bidding, 
And the slow, moon-drawn tide; 

All forces act Thy pleasure, 
My need will be supplied. 



[4«] 



THE IMPRISONED BUTTERFLY 

Pooa thing! no longer beat thy gauzy wings 
Against my room's imprisoning pane; 

Nor fear the hands of love encircling thee, 
That thou mayst wider freedom gain. 

O blind and foolish one! to struggle thus 
Against the power that fain would save. 

'Tis but the gate to freedom and to flowers, 
This darkness which thou deem*st a grave. 



[48] 



RESIGNATION 

I WOULD not grudge thee journey far 

To land of palms and vines ; 
But joy to think of thy delight 

Where sun of summer shines. 

And shall I grieve that thou art gone 
Where bloom supernal flowers? 

Where never saddening sight nor sound 
Invades the happy hours? 

I would not call thee back, my love, 
From that blest land to this ! 

Rather these tears than thou shouldst lose 
One day of Heavenly bliss. 

And though the lingering years to me 
Their care and grief may bring, 

'Tis sweet to know that thou art safe, 
Where joys eternal spring. 



[454] 



O THAT I KNEW! 

O THAT I knew the place of thine abiding! 
Stands there on yonder star so shining bright 
Thy mansion fair of Heavenly Love's provid- 
ing? 
Or where in God's vast realm art thou tonight? 

O could I hear the friendly tones that greet 

thee! 
The welcome home, the joyful angel song! 
O could I see familiar forms that meet thee, 
As thou dost move amid the radiant throng! 

Tell me, dear heart, what task thou art pur- 
suing, 

Is it some pleasant work here left undone, 

Because thy strength had failed thee in the 
doing? 

So oft thou wearied ere the set of sun! 

Yet fear I not, since 'tis God's hand that holds 

thee, 
The same that guides the sparrow and the 

star, 
'Tis sweet to know His gracious love enfolds 

thee: 
Thou'rt safe, my darling, whether near or far. 



£46] 



PRAYER FOR OTHERS 

O Thou who bidst me never faint, but pray. 
Upon Th}' promises my faith would stay; 
And I would come with patience, pleading still. 
So sure it is according to Thy will, 
Though Thou the blessing sought shouldst long 

delay, 
It cannot be that Thou wilt say me nay. 

Then send me anything to do or bear. 

The hardest task, the heaviest cross or care ; 

Only on me this confidence bestow. 

And grant my heart this blessedness to know, — 

Almighty love doth my deep longing share. 

Almighty power doth hear and heed my prayer. 



[46] 



" LEST WE FORGET " 

O UBEETY, thy name is passing sweet! 
And over all men casts a potent spell. 
The savage and the savant love thee well. 
Imprisoned patriots thy name repeat. 
E'en crimes committed for thy sake men greet 
With plaudits loud and peal of joyful bell. 
What other can thy matchless charm excel, 
In whom aU glory and all graces meet? 

Lest we forget one lately little praised, 

Born ere the stars, forever to abide, 

Whose brow serene to Heaven's high vault is 

raised. 
By whom the circling orbs their courses guide, 
Without whose care e'en Liberty turns pale, 
Majestic Law, thy august name I hail! 



[47] 



" LOVE NEVER FAILETH " 

One came called Love with sweet and winsome 

air; 
Around her radiant brow gleamed tender light; 
Her bounteous hand strewed flowers rare and 

bright. 
Indifference met her with a stony stare; 
I looked for Love ; but nothing saw I there. 

A gentler one advanced with graceful tread; 
At cool Indifference she softly sighed; 
While eagerly, " Behold I love ! " she cried. 
Fierce Hate drew near with envious fancies 

fed: 
The flowers withered, drooped, and " Love " 

had fled. 

At last appeared a form divinely fair. 

Above whose brow was borne a lily white, 

And on whose breast a blood-red rose glowed 

bright. 
The heaviest burden she essayed to bear. 
And smiling stooped the humblest task to share. 

Though bruised and bleeding were her hands at 

night, 
Her fervent heart Indifference could not chill; 



[48] 



This Heaven-bom Love not cruel Hate could 

kiU. 
Still red the rose glowed in the waning light; 
Still fair and stainless shone the lily white. 



149] 



THE TWO ANSWERS 

" How seemeth death to thee? " 
" Like one with aspect full of gloom, 
And brow that's written o'er with doom, 
Who leadeth to the dismal tomb : 
Thus seems dread death to me." 

" How seemeth death to thee? " 
" The shadow of a rock that stands 
In desolate and weary lands, 
Where noontide heat is on the sands : 
Thus seems sweet death to me." 



[60] 



A NIGHT THOUGHT 

Do night's long hours drag wearily? 

In vain thou seekest sleep? 
It may be One would speak to thee, 

Whose love thy soul doth keep. 

Some message He may have to give 
Thou couldst not hear before, 

Amid the busy strife of day, 
Its din and loud uproar. 

" Speak, Lord," then cry, " Thy servant 
hears, 

And fain Thy will would know." 
Then in the silence and the shade 

There cometh answer low. 

And thou shalt find that wakefulness 

Is sweeter e'en than sleep ; 
And through the sacred, silent hours 

Shalt Heavenly vigil keep. 



[61] 



THE ANSWERED PRAYER 

I PRAYED that I the love of Christ might know, 

And little dreamed for what I made my prayer. 

Could He on me this priceless boon bestow? 

Could I know love like His, so passing fair? 
Who would such wondrous grace attain, 
Must tread like Him a path of pain. 

He showed me those I counted friends could 

sleep 
In midst of my most dread Gethsemane ; 
That they for whom my yearning heart would 

weep, 
In selfish fear could flee, nor think of me; 
And said, " Wilt thou my suff'ering share, 
Thou shalt find answer to thy prayer." 

A crown of thorns was placed upon my head ; 

They pressed it hard upon my bleeding brow. 

" 'Tis ever thus that men crown love," He said ; 

" A little of my love thou knowest now. 
In patience then this chaplet wear. 
And thus find answer to thy prayer." 

And yet my love grew still more deep and 

strong. 
Till day and night I raised one ceaseless cry; 
" Forgive, and lay not to their charge this 

wrong ; 

[5«] 



O save these, Lord, though for them I should 
die!" 
" That thou," He said, " the cross wouldst 

bear, 
Is proof that thou my love dost share." 

And now I thank Him for the lesson sweet, 
The lesson learned through sacrifice and pain, 
Since it has brought me nearer His dear feet. 
Nor count the loss for the far greater gain. 

In heart enriched with treasure rare 

I find the answer to my prayer. 



[68] 



EASTER MORNING 

He caine to her; she knew Him not, 
Nor dreamed her Lord had risen. 

Sweet spices brought she for the form 
A tomb could not imprison. 

A common gardener He appeared 
To eyes that tears were filling. 

Her name He spoke, — and all her soul 
With Easter joy was thrilling! 

Still oft He comes in humble forms, 
Through least of these appealing; 

To those who serve in faith and love, 
The Lord of life revealing. 



[54.] 



NOT LOST 

O HEART to love and strive so strong 
That even death seems little cost ! 

Though full fruition waiteth long, 
Think not such mighty force is lost. 

Thou movest Heaven, and earth below, 

Though cold and dead, the life must share; 

And surely cometh, swift or slow, 
The answer to thy love and prayer. 



[55] 



MAN'S MEASURE 

Who little is, doth little seek, 

Him trifles satisfy ; 
The brave ascend the mountain peak, 

The highest need the high. 

Who little seeks doth little gain, 

Nor climb above the clod ; 
The earthly on the earth remain, 

The nobler soul seeks God. 



[56] 



"YE HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE" 

Oh, for a tongue of fire 

To flash forth flaming words 

That should burn deep into dull hearts, 

And stir the slothful soul to noble deeds ! 

Oh, for a pen dipped in my life's warm blood ; 

That I might rouse the selfish and supine 

To hear and heed the sad world's cry! 

To utter one such word, and die ! 

But mine's the harder task. 

To speak with faltering tongue 

That robs the burning thought 

Of half its sacred fire ; 

To write with heart aglow, 

And never know reward ; 

To see spent arrows fall; 

To sow and not to reap; 

To walk with trembling feet the path 

I would have others firmly tread : 

For this my task, O God! I crave 

The patience of the perfect Christ. 



[5T] 



THE NEW YEAR'S GIFT 

He entered my door, the blithe New Year, 
And a smile on his face wore he; 

The while in his hand a gift he bore, 
That seemed of little worth to be. 

He went from my door, the grey old Year, 
Ere I knew that his gift to me 

Was the best of all good gifts in store, 
The jewel, opportunity. 



[68] 



THE FALL OF THE LEAF 

Leaves red and gold and brown drop softly 

down, 
And sadly do we sigh, O dreary fall! 
When lo ! through branches bare in distant sky 
We see God's stars clear shining over all. 

Friends die, and bright hopes fail us, one by 

one, 
Then sadly do we sigh, O life most drear! 
Till through the empty spaces we descry 
The changeless love of God still shining clear. 



[59] 



"HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE" 

The highest praise of all, 

Though meant for mocking jeer. 

Others He came to save, 

For Him the nails, the spear. 

Could He both keep and give? 

Himself for us He gave ; 
He needs must die for love ; 

Himself He could not save. 

So who would save must give, 
Nor think himself to gain : 

Who would make others live, 
Must spare nor love nor pain. 



[60] 



DAILY BREAD 

" Give us this day our daily bread " — 
What need have I to pray this prayer, 
Whose table every day is spread 
With bounteous fare? 

" Hast thou no hunger, then ? " one said ; 

"Is every want quite satisfied? 
And for thy mind's sustaining bread 
Hast never cried? 

"Or, if thy mind has all its share, 

Is there no hunger of the heart 
For love, that in this daily prayer 
May have a part? 

" Are body, mind, and heart all fed? 
Yet surely then thy soul hast need ; 
' Give us this day our daily bread,* 
Thou still mayst plead. 

" Whatever hungry want be thine. 

Thy Father's house hath bread to spare ; 
Oh ! then thou canst no longer pine ; 
Enough is there." 



[61] 



TWO FRIENDS 

Two friends had I ; one with smooth speech 

Did soothe my soul to rest, 
And one to nobler life essayed 

To stir my slothful breast. 

When at my dearest sin he aimed 

His sharp and stinging dart, 
I saw not in my blindness how 

It hurt his own brave heart. 

And so I loved the first full well; 

The other I did hate. 
Which was the true friend, which the false, 

I learned, alas ! too late. 



[62] 



THE HARDEST TASK 

It were not hard, ray friend, to die for thee, 
Could I in dying turn thee toward the light : 
'Tis this is hard, to live and love, yet see 
Thee slowly sinking toward a starless night. 

'Tis hard to strive with utmost strength in 

vain, 
To rouse thy soul a nobler life to live ; 
To note thy sure decline is keenest pain ; 
Not death itself a sharper pang could give. 

A cross more welcome were than bed of down. 
Might I amid the agony but know 
My life's long hope had won at last its crown. 
That thou, my friend, to nobler life wouldst 
grow. 



[68] 



GOD'S MEASURE 

A CENTURY is short 

To that Eternal Power, 

Whose purposes are wrought 
In nation or in flower; 

To him it matters naught, — 
An eon or an hour. 



[64] 



MY FRIEND 

I HAD a friend, 
Noble and true he seemed: 

I woke one mom 
To find I had but dreamed. 

My fervent love, 
My prayers to him were vain, 

And gave my heart 
Too fond, but grief and pain. 

Yet still I wept. 
Nor ceased my soul to spend 

In loving well 
What fancy made my friend. 

Years passed, and lo! 
My patient love hath taught 

My friend to grow 
The noble friend I sought. 



[65] 



A STORY IN STONE 

The Nubian Desert lies before, 

The sun shines on the yellow sands, 

The Nile glides by the golden shore, 
Where Abou Simbel's temple stands. 

On either side the portal wide 

Behold a noble, stately pair; 
With princely plumes, in pomp and pride, 

Colossal, calm, the brave and fair. 

King Rameses, the strong, we read. 
The monarch great in peace or strife, 

Made this for one he loves indeed. 
And who loves him, his royal wife. 

Thus reads the hieroglyphic tale 

Three thousand years engraved in stone; 
One glimpse it gives behind the veil 

That time has o'er their story thrown. 

The tale the distant ages tell 

Is still the theme of life and song; 

Nor high nor low escape the spell, 

While human hearts beat true and strong. 

No more we see a king and queen. 
But simple man and woman know. 

Though centuries have rolled between. 
Love was three thousand years ago. 
[66] 



MOLLUSK AND MAN 

" O GIVE me ease and comfort ! " said the clam, 
As in the mud he settled down content. 
By guarding shells protected from his foes, 
The well-fed mollusk grown quite indolent, 
A slothful clam remained in calm repose. 

Another creature cried, " Here is no rest ; 
I must find food the while by foes distressed; 
And if I would not die, 
I must run or swim or fly." 
Long ages passed. By dint of toil and strain, 
This one evolved a backbone and a brain ; 
And so at last, according to the plan. 
There stood upon his feet, erect, a man ! 



" O give me ease and comfort ! " said the man ; 

But Nature looking forward was too wise. 

" You will never get ahead 

Without effort " ; so she said ; 

" 'Tis only he who struggles wins the prize." 



[67] 



MICROBES 

In food or air or water 

Some microbe sets its snare ; 

And mischievous bacilli 
Are lurking everywhere. 

They're crowding close about us 
On that side and on this, 

The crystal glass they're haunting, 
They're hiding in a kiss. 

Of things that most deUght us 
We're told we must beware, 

Lest some malicious microbe 
Thus lure us to his lair. 

Visions of germs arising 
Invade our hours of bliss ; 

Bacilli in procession 
All happiness dismiss. 

And so of all the microbes 
The worst beyond compare. 

The little one called worry, 
Has caught us unaware. 



[6S] 



SEPARATION 

Between my love and me, an ocean vast. 
I crossed the tide, stood by her side at last; 
Ah cruel fate ! she will not hear my plea ; 
And lo ! a gulf more wide than swelling sea 
Between my love and me. 



[69] 



GENERAL S. C. ARMSTRONG 
Died May 11, 1893 

Alike from lowly hut and lofty hall, 
From cabin of the black man or the red, 
A common lamentation comes from all, 
Our General's dead. 

The dusky host of those whom Lincoln freed, 
By thy kind hand from darker bondage led. 
Cry out, " The man who was our friend in need, 
Alas, is dead ! " 

The swarthy Indians on the western plain. 
Inspired by thee the white man's road to tread. 
In many tongues repeat the sad refrain, 
" Our Chief is dead." 

Those palm-fringed isles on far Pacific's breast. 
That for our land this generous hero bred. 
Lament, " Of noble sons, this one, the best. 
Too soon is dead." 

Above earth's moan, across the shadowy sea. 
From Heavenly shore, methinks I hear reply; 
" Who cares for least of mine doth care for me. 
He cannot die." 



[70] 



THE QUAKER POET 

A Feiend, indeed, to God and fellowmen, 
Who bloodless war didst wage with mighty pen, 
Whose cause was that of every man oppressed, 
Whose trumpet call the cry of all distressed. 

A Friend to nature, too, and evermore 
New beauty seems in river, sea or shore, 
In dreaming lake, in shining clouds that rest 
At evening on the purple mountain's crest. 

At last, as ripe leaves drop, or falls soft snow, 
Or singing streams to brimming ocean flow. 
Or slow suns sink on other worlds to shine, 
So passed his spirit home to peace divine. 



[71] 



IN MEMORIAM, M. E. R. 

March 5, 1903 

'Mid snow and flowers is laid that form so dear, 

'Mid flowers and snow ; 
Fit emblems of the life so sweet and pure, 

She lived below. 

The tranquil lilies lie upon her bier, 

And roses glow; 
While over all from the calm heavens above 

Soft falls the snow. 

Now as the voice of trustful prayer ascends, 

Our sore hearts know 
That healing balm that gently over them 

Falls like the snow. 



[72] 



IN MEMORIAM, C. F. B. 

St. Helena Island, South Carolina, November 1, 1904. 

She speeded on her eager quest, 

Nor backward looked, nor paused for rest ; 

By passion pure and high possessed 

Like flaming fire. 
Still forward toward the goal she pressed 

In strong desire. 

A sudden halt, — distind; and clear 
The summons came. Without a fear 
She passed from out the now and here, 

The " splendid strife," 
And fared forth to a wider sphere 

And fuller life. 

Oh ! in this world of sordid greed, 
So slow to feel another's need, 
Still may we hear her intercede 

With failing breath. 
And for our dusky brothers plead 

Even in death. 



[7»] 



TO S. O. O. 

On her ninetieth birthday 

The fairest time of all the year 

Is the month that you came here, 

Dear lady of the ninety Junes complete. 

On that distant natal day 

Methinks I hear the roses say, 

" I love her," and the lilies whisper, " Sweet ! " 

The laurel pledged a myriad cups of cheer. 

Then softly buzzed the busy bee, 

" The child shall have a gift from me 

That shall last through many a happy year." 

June after June has brought its treasures now, 

Till in your heart's blood flows 

The richness of the rose ; 

The peace of lilies rests upon your brow: 

And 'tis plain for all to see 

That the busiest little bee 

With such as you no longer can compete. 

Dear lady of the ninety summers sweet. 



[T4] 



TO W. S. 

On his ninetieth birthday 

Though snows of ninety winters crown thy 

brow, 
Eternal summer in thine heart doth reign. 
Years matter not, my friend, to such as thou, 
Who know'st from joy or grief new grace to 

gain. 

Thou keep'st thy youth as yonder pine that 

wears 
Its verdurous crown through years of sun and 

snow, 
Its broadening boughs and climbing spire it 

bears 
Aloft, and healing balm doth still bestow. 

What matter though the eye of sense be dim, 
Some things thou seest far better than the rest; 
Eternal verities hid not from him 
Whose mind and heart are earnest in the quest. 

That sought by traveller on the new world's 

shore. 
The fountain of perpetual youth, seems thine: 
None who have this need passing years deplore. 
An inward spring fed by the life divine. 



[75] 



A GOLDEN WEDDING MEDITATION 

The robin sang in the treetop, 
The violet smiled in the wood, 

Apple-trees bloomed in the orchard; 
And life, it was fair, it was good. 

The years, fully two score and ten, 
Have passed like an arrow sped ; 

And the times have strangely altered 
Since the days when we were wed. 

Summers and winters, together 

We've watched their treasures unfold; 

The crystal and silver are over. 
And now we've come to the gold. 

Though life has its trouble and sorrow, 
There's more of gold than of dross; 

And for those who live it aright, 
The gain outweighs the loss. 

If one thing is sweeter than morning, 

'Tis evening's dewy charm ; 
And after the heat of noonday. 

We welcome night's coolness and calm. 

O robin! sing on in the tree-top. 
And violet, smile in the wood, 

And trees, bloom again in the orchard ; 
For life, thou art sweet, thou art good. 
[76] 



THE roEAL 

CouLDST thou in vision see 
Thyself the man Grod meant, 

Thou nevermore wouldst be 
The man thou art, — content. 



COLUMBUS 

One braved an unknown sea, new worlds to 

gain, 
And for his service won prison and chain; 
Yet none need fear with such his lot to cast ; 
The centuries will guerdon bring at last. 



[77] 



EVOLUTION 

God looked adown the ages 
With patient, steadfast plan, 

And saw in primal star-dust 
His last great purpose, man. 



"BEHOLD YOUR KING!" 

A KING indeed, though bleeding, bruised and 
bound; 
To Him at last the world its tribute brings, 
And learns from One who with the thorns was 
crowned 
That royal hearts, not royal robes, make 
kings. 



[78] 



THE LAW OF LIFE 

He who would truly live, 
Nor lose the highest prize, 

Must know they gain who give. 
They save who sacrifice. 



WHO IS GREATEST? 

Not learning, nor lands, nor vanquished foes. 

Nor gold, nor regal state. 
Only the love that thine heart bestows. 

Can make thee truly great. 



[79] 



THE AWAKENING 

She waked as from a troubled dream, 

In Heaven's glorious day. 
To her rapt soul how short must seem 

The night just passed away. 



AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY 

Great Caesar spake; Imperial Rome obeyed his 
word. 
The world long since forgot what there was 
heard : 
But ponders well the words One spake beside 
the sea 
To humble fisher folk of Galilee. 



[80] 



HER FACE 

No burning bush still unconsumed 
We need on Horeb drear; 

A face by light divine illumed 
May show the Lord is here. 



THOUGHT 

Swifter than swallow's flight, 
Silent as shadow's fall, 

Unmeasured in its might, 
Unseen, yet ruling all. 



[81] 



W 19 







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